Children of the Holy Emperor - Chapter 390



Only Noblemtl

390. Collision (7)

“That little punk! Look at that listless expression on his face!”

Meanwhile, Owen, who was dragged out into the hallway, was struggling to calm down and was whining.

In the palace, which should be the safest place of all, a fire almost broke out!

It was also because a nightmare I had a while ago suddenly came to mind. It was the image of a boy walking into a hell covered in flames, his whole body covered in a crimson flame-like aura.

Now, a lot of time has passed and only a vague impression remains, but at the time, I remember thinking of the boy as a newbie.

But, I felt like the scene in that dream overlapped with the current Mores, and I couldn’t control the anxiety that was rising up in me.

“Let’s be really careful now, brother! We have to make sure that troublemaker never gets the chance to play with fire again!”

“haha.”

Martha led the jumping Owen to the end of the hallway and let out a small laugh.

“By now, Prince Mores would have understood. So please calm down.”

“but!”

“I understand everything, Your Majesty. I also know how You feel about the fire incident.”

“Ugh… … !”

As Martha repeatedly coaxed him with patience, Owen reluctantly shut up.

If you think about it, wasn’t it Sir Marsain who had a hard time dealing with the incident last night? What good would it do to come running late and get angry at him?

“I made a fool of myself in front of you, hyung. I’m ashamed.”

“No. Aren’t we all one family? It’s natural to be angry.”

Owen stared at him blankly as he received a softer answer than expected.

Is it because of my mood? For some reason, I feel like Masain’s attitude has become strangely relaxed compared to before.

“I… did get a little angry and overreacted.”

Owen, who was suddenly exhausted, muttered in an uncertain voice.

Although he is somehow friendly with the crowd, he knows better than anyone that he can never truly become a member of the Seonghwang family. So how would others see him running alone?

‘Especially because Brother Marsain is particularly fond of Mores.’

Then, Marsain shakes his head with a serious expression.

“I don’t think so at all. Isn’t it all for the safety of Prince Mores that Your Majesty is so upset?”

“that…….”

It was an unexpected reaction. Even without that, the two people had maintained a slight distance between themselves because of their ironically reversed positions.

Just a few days ago, he was giving Owen a suspicious look over the elixir.

But what is the expression on the face of Sir Martha as she looks at him now? There is no trace of wariness, and she even looks relieved.

Perhaps it was because someone had said what he wanted to say so coolly on his behalf, but Owen had no way of knowing.

“The longer you stay here, the more you come to appreciate the presence of those who are not afraid to criticize you, Your Majesty.”

Martha said with a calm smile on her face.

“His Majesty, I’m sure you think so too. Even though he may seem so childish, he surprisingly has a sharp side.”

“… Are you talking about Mores?”

“Yes. He is someone who instinctively knows the workings of the palace. In this place, the person who approaches with a smile is the scariest.”

“okay.”

Owen could only answer sheepishly.

A person who laughs is scary. How scary was the palace you experienced as a child?

But as luck would have it, a little while later Owen was able to meet a specimen of that ‘smiling, approaching one’, a man in his twenties with a refined and refined air came to see them.

It was none other than Cardinal Kaplan, Logan’s maternal grandfather.

“Meet Prince Mores.”

The man, who was overly polite to the young prince despite being a high-ranking priest, then bowed his head to Martha and Owen.

“Hello, Master Marsain and Prince Owen. It is a new feeling to see you two together like this.”

It’s a greeting that carries a somewhat strange nuance.

Marsain, who was the eldest son but lost his right to the throne, and Owen, who apparently had the right to the throne but was not of the royal blood. Was it really necessary to mention the two of them together?

“Isn’t it wonderful to see the two of you showing such deep friendship? His Majesty the King will be very pleased.”

It didn’t seem to be Owen’s wish, because Martha’s expression hardened slightly as she listened to those words.

Cardinal Kaplan. He had a talent for making people feel strangely uncomfortable, even though he had an impeccable demeanor.

“Your Majesty, what brings you here all of a sudden? Your Majesty is in critical condition, and His Majesty has ordered us to refrain from visiting you privately as much as possible.”

Marsain asked, not hiding his doubts.

Just as the number of people allowed into the Pearl Palace is restricted, the same principle applies to the temporary treatment room in the main palace. It goes without saying that high-ranking priests are prohibited from entering.

But even though he is so openly showing his wariness, Cardinal Kaplan does not show any sign of embarrassment and just gently curves his lips.

“I dare not disobey Your Majesty’s orders. I apologize, Master Masain. I did not come here to visit you.”

“then?”

“The opinions of the Holy Assembly have simply come together, and I have come as a representative to convey this to Prince Mores.”

Cardinal Kaplan’s eyes turned back to Mores. A faint discomfort quickly appeared and disappeared in the blue eyes that felt familiar. It was because he had strongly sensed an uneasy aura from the prince.

“The Holy Assembly would like to ask the following of His Majesty. First of all… … .”

Cardinal Kaplan, skillfully controlling his expression, began to calmly state his business.

Long-winded explanations along the lines of, ‘The Holy Assembly is concerned about this and that, and we want you to prove this and that in front of everyone.’

Owen listened to the boring story with one ear and absentmindedly thought to himself.

‘… He seems similar to Logan, but he’s also completely different. I don’t think I’ll be very fond of him in the future.’

however-

“I really am at a loss.”

Mores’ reaction after hearing all his business was unexpected.

The boy looked at the man with a sullen face for a moment, then snorted with an unpleasant expression.

“The Holy Council is making such ridiculous demands. Are you all crazy? There is no such thing as a perfect match. You all must know very well that I am the hero who saved the imperial capital from the demon cult.”

An unexpectedly strong backlash. And a hero? Saying such things with his own mouth?

‘What did that guy eat wrong? Why is he acting like that all of a sudden?’

Owen looked at the sheep he was doing, bewildered.

It wasn’t that long since I returned to the palace and met Mores, but he hasn’t been like that lately, has he?

“What do you think, Cardinal Kaplan? Am I not angry now? No matter how much I think about it, I can’t help but feel offended!”

But what about now? He looked down on people with his chin raised high and an arrogant expression, just like the old scoundrel Mores.

“Just wait and see! As soon as Father comes out of the prayer room, I will tell him every single detail about the wantonness of my congregation!”

“…I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

Then Cardinal Kaplan stared at Mores for a moment, then smiled sadly as if he were looking at a child.

“It is all due to our foolish negligence, so please be generous in responding to the request of the Holy Assembly.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t be a coward and put myself out there like that.”

“Thank you. I will convey your humble wishes to the congregation.”

“Yes. Tell them well. It’ll be no use regretting it later and begging for it. Tell the cardinals to just wipe their throats and wait. I’ll go there myself and show them an example!”

Owen, who was listening, became increasingly confused.

Who are you like that?

“… … ?”

But the expression on the face of the man standing nearby was even more bizarre.

Who is Cardinal Kaplan? He is one of the five most powerful cardinals in the Holy Empire and the father of Empress Tatiana.

But even though I urged him to show proper courtesy to that person, he looked so proud as if he was seeing his fully grown grandchild!

After a moment of shock and confusion, Cardinal Kaplan again politely bowed to everyone and withdrew.

But, as he was walking down the hallway, Mores’ eyes, staring at his back, had returned to their original calm glow!

“… The Holy Synod seems to be moving faster than I thought. I think I should suggest to my father that we send a ‘don’t act like this’ letter to all five cardinals from now on.”

“… … !?”

Look at me. The person has changed again!

While Owen was greatly embarrassed, Marsain walked towards Mores with a bright face.

“Well done, Your Majesty! Truly a most excellent conduct!”

“… Huh?”

What does this mean?

Owen blinked blankly, but Marsain’s subsequent explanation was even more impressive.

“Cardinal Kaplan, along with the Empress, is the one who unknowingly keeps His Majesty in check the most in the palace. To deliberately show him a naive appearance and let his guard down, Your Majesty truly understands the workings of the palace!”

Then Mores looked at Marsain with a somewhat dissatisfied expression and replied curtly.

“What kind of stupid thing are you talking about, Sir Marsain? I don’t do such annoying things.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

“I’m telling you, really? I just didn’t like the way you were acting, so I was just throwing a tantrum. When I saw that disgusting behavior, I just wanted to show off.”

“Yes, I know everything. You are truly admirable, Your Majesty.”

“… No, that’s not it.”

Owen, who had been listening blankly, felt like he was going crazy. Could it be that the palace was still a place where people were deceiving each other? Was he the only one who was naive while moving back and forth between the front lines?

While Owen was in such a state of confusion, Mores and Marsain put their heads together to discuss what to do next.

“By the way, Your Majesty, wasn’t it too hasty of a decision to give a definitive answer just now? We cannot ignore the long experience of the cardinals. They will surely demand very difficult and demanding proof.”

Marsain seemed to be full of worries. It was natural. The prince whom he had carefully taken care of to avoid being exposed to the high priests was now entering their den on his own two feet.

But Mores’ attitude was calm.

“It’s okay. I’m not being summoned to the heresy court, and all I have to do is demonstrate some appropriate ability at the Holy Assembly, right?”

“How dare you prove the power of [Annihilation]? Now that I’m not even in perfect condition, what should I do…?”

But the young prince nodded his head with great confidence, for some reason.

“Don’t worry, Sir Marsain. I think I know what they’re going to prepare and what they’re going to ask of me.”

* * *

Two days passed like that, and finally the day of proof that the Holy Assembly had demanded arrived.

Seongjin woke up early in the morning and quietly began preparing to attend the convention.

Clink clinking.

The crisp, dark ash-gray uniform is fastened to the arms, and a sharp silver sword and two hooks are placed in the center of the chest. It is the symbol of the crossed shotels of the Knights of St. Terbachia.

-Just wait and see. Soon this beautiful aura will become a symbol of your strength.

Crunch.

On top of that, he wears a silvery suit of armor, and finally, he wears a sword belt with a nutcracker attached to it.

-So don’t worry, Mores. Your aura isn’t strange at all.

Meanwhile, the words Amelia had said were coming back to Seongjin’s mind one after another.

These are just the words of a sister who knows nothing about magic. They probably won’t be of much help in a place where high-ranking clergy will be glaring and trying to find fault.

‘but…….’

However, Sungjin was now receiving a surprisingly large amount of comfort from every single word Amelia said.

My head, which had been filled with all sorts of worries, felt brighter and clearer after that day.

‘Yeah. The simple solution is the best. Let’s just try it. What if things go a little wrong? My father probably expected this to happen anyway.’

Perhaps, when you come back from [the gap], you will surely think of a suitable excuse for Sungjin.

Squeak.

After finishing getting ready and leaving the room, Martha and Owen were already waiting for Seongjin with anxious faces.

And next to them sat the courtesy knight.

‘Francis Arzen.’

In the absence of the Holy Spirit or Katrina, the person entrusted with all religious and legal matters that arise for the Holy Spirit.

A faint sense of bewilderment flashes through his eyes as he welcomes Seongjin. The magical energy that Seongjin exudes has become quite strong, and now even those who are only nominal knights like Francis can notice it.

‘Even though the auror is tied up so tightly like this.’

But Seongjin wasn’t worried about that at all.

As long as Sung-Hwang is on his side, Katrina will always be on his side. So that adjutant, who is extremely loyal to the captain, will never be able to harm Sung-Jin on his own.

“Ahem!”

As expected, Francis coughed slightly and opened his mouth while controlling his expression.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider. This summons to the Holy Assembly has many procedural loopholes.”

“If you think about it again?”

“That means you can refuse to attend at any time. Wouldn’t it be better to make up a suitable excuse and wait for His Majesty to wake up to resolve the issue?”

“hmm…….”

It’s not like Seongjin hasn’t thought about that either.

but…….

‘I have a feeling that my father won’t wake up anytime soon.’

Now, as long as Sungjin lives and breathes, the unspeakable magic energy from his aura will continue to bloom.

There was no answer to this problem if we just avoided it forever. It was also not possible to keep Aura tied up forever.

‘Besides, now that my father is gone, this might be the opportunity to firmly suppress the opposition of the Holy Assembly.’

Seongjin, who had gathered his thoughts for a moment, spoke as he walked again.

“Let’s just continue like this.”

“You can postpone the summons even now. Are you still determined?”

“Of course.”

When Seongjin answered firmly, Francis immediately sighed and pushed up his glasses.

“… I will have some of the Knights of Saint Aurelion stand by outside the Great Hall. In the unlikely event that something should happen to you, we will have enough force to mount a show of force while others arrive to provide reinforcements.”

Seongjin couldn’t help but feel bewildered at those words.

Whoa whoa, this guy is going to be a big deal if we just let him go? He’s going to point his sword at cardinals and high-ranking clergy at the Holy Assembly just to protect a guy who’s oozing magic?

“Don’t worry. That probably won’t happen.”

Seongjin replied as he passed Francis.

Clank clank.

With every step you take, you hear the slightly unfamiliar friction sound of the armor.

Seongjin, accompanied by the three people he trusted, strode briskly towards the conference hall where the high priests were waiting.